Damn, I can't keep up.

dinsdale81

Hi everyone,

For those of you haven't seen previous post, in June I will be attempting to complete the Norwich 100 mile sponsored bike ride. A load of you gave me really good information on training and for that I am really grateful.

However, I'm now onto query no. 2. Today, as a group, we went out for a 20 mile (turned out to be 26 in the end) ride and while I was a bit knackered, I was by no means dying on my censored . One thing did become beautifully clear while out on the ride, I'm going to struggle on a mountain bike. The rest of the group all have road bikes and seemed to go up hills with ease. Not only this, they could maintain high speeds with far less effort than I was putting in.

It is with this in mind that I have decided to give the credit card a day out and buy a road bike. Having always rode mountain bike, I know jack about road bikes. Therefor, I'm after some advice. I'm looking at purchasing a 09 Specialized allez 18. Does anyone know if this is a decent bike or would I be better of going down a different route. I've got about £550 to spend so anything you could recommend would be most welcome.

Please help guys, I don't want to be languishing at the back of the pack for 100 miles.

Dale

cougie

Cheaper option would be some slick tyres and a track pump. Knobbly tyres are lots harder.
True - it wont be as fast as a road bike, but you'd just have to be fitter than your mates.

greg66_tri_v2.0

At that price point, I'd make a beeline for either Giant or Specialized. You won't go wrong with either.

However ... Long ride: comfort is a big factor. You have to make sure that whatever you get fits well. Not sure where to go for that in East Anglia. There's an online bike fitting tool at competitivecyclist or Coloradocyclist, I think, but I've not used it.

antfly

Nah,get a road bike it`s much easier.

biondino

If you're quite small, you can get a 2008 Focus Variado with Shimano 105:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Focus ... 360032370/

DonDaddyD

Dinsdale81,

A road bike is where you want to be looking, get drop handle bars and not flat bars, the additional hand positions increases comfort (despite how uncomfortable it looks seeing someone hunkered down on the drops) and having multiple hand positions means your back doesn’t stay in one position for the duration of the ride also increasing comfort (IMO)

I was looking at that price point when I bought my bike last year. In the end I got the soon to be discontinued Giant SCR3 2008 for £350.

A general is 2009 models are more expensive for less spec than 2008 models. So where possible buy a 2008 model (if it’s the right size).

As a rule I’d say at £550 get nothing less than a Sora group set (preferably Tiagra but you’d be hard pushed to find a Tiagra on a 2009 model at that price point).

The following are safe bets that you may want to consider:

Giant Defy 3
http://shop.devercycles.co.uk/product/4 ... pecialized

Allez Double http://shop.devercycles.co.uk/product/4 ... ouble_2009

Trek 1.2 Double
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/tre ... e-ec016471

Of the three I’d probably go for an Allez – though if the Defy range is anything like my SCR there is little to complain about.

Keep in mind that you can (arguably) get more for your £pound£ if you shop online. Just make sure you get the sizing right so you don’t have any after delivery hassles.

Good luck on your purchase and good luck with your bike ride – let us know how it goes.

DonDaddyD

Dinsdale81,

A road bike is where you want to be looking, get drop handle bars and not flat bars, the additional hand positions increases comfort (despite how uncomfortable it looks seeing someone hunkered down on the drops) and having multiple hand positions means your back doesn’t stay in one position for the duration of the ride also increasing comfort (IMO)

I was looking at that price point when I bought my bike last year. In the end I got the soon to be discontinued Giant SCR3 2008 for £350.

A general is 2009 models are more expensive for less spec than 2008 models. So where possible buy a 2008 model (if it’s the right size).

As a rule I’d say at £550 get nothing less than a Sora group set (preferably Tiagra but you’d be hard pushed to find a Tiagra on a 2009 model at that price point).

The following are safe bets that you may want to consider:

Giant Defy 3
http://shop.devercycles.co.uk/product/4 ... pecialized

Allez Double http://shop.devercycles.co.uk/product/4 ... ouble_2009

Trek 1.2 Double
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/tre ... e-ec016471

Of the three I’d probably go for an Allez – though if the Defy range is anything like my SCR there is little to complain about.

Keep in mind that you can (arguably) get more for your £pound£ if you shop online. Just make sure you get the sizing right so you don’t have any after delivery hassles.

Good luck on your purchase and good luck with your bike ride – let us know how it goes.

lost_in_thought

For East Anglia, you could head over to Interbike. They're just off the A12 at Marks Tey Roundabout - follow the signs for the Food Company.

They may be able to help you with sizing, which, as mentioned, is really very important, and also have a decent stock of road bikes. They're the only bike shop I know of that does...!

EDIT: The only bike shop near me in East Anglia I know of that does...

s-worksenduro

I recently got a Giant Defy 2.5, (available here at £599) and I am so happy with it. The geometry is really comfortable, the spec is pretty good and in comparison to the old Trek MTB w/ slicks I was using before, it is a lot better on the road. Before, any little dent on the road would get sent right up my back, but now it all feels a whole lot smoother.

When you go and look at the bikes, take them for a test ride if you can, there was quite a big difference between the ones I tried out!

Also have a look at the Ribble builds. Very good price, and you can pick out every individual part to go on the bike

Wrath Rob

Boardman Road Comp. Great bike, fantastic kit but just slightly above your price point. Don't let the Bikehut image put you off.

andrewjoseph

I'm really pleased with my 07 boardman comp.

http://www.boardmanbikes.com/

now selling for £499 from halfords

rally200

Paul's at Dereham are selling Giant SCR 1.5 at £518 nicely specced bike - all tiagra - (same kit as an Alllez Sport)(except brakes). 08 model price looks v good against the new Giant Defy.


As LiT says Interbike is a top shop - nice people there will make sure whatever you but fits you, lovely built to order Schils bikes, but Derham a bit closer to the Fine City for you, and more likely to have something in your price range.